2
Charles County Commission for Women
Annual Report 2018
Background
The Charles County Commissioners established the Charles County Commission for Women
(CCCW) in 1996 by Resolution #96-34 to better define and identify services needed for women
in the County.
Members are appointed by the Charles County Board of County Commissioners.
Mission Statement
The Commission for Women works to raise awareness of issues affecting women and families
by serving as a conduit between women and existing services and advocating for programs,
education and legislation.
Goals/Purpose
i. To act as a referral agency source for women needing assistance.
ii. To support and encourage volunteer programs of benefit to women.
iii. To publicize activities and services of interest to women.
iv. To encourage educational and job training opportunities for women.
v. To promote public forums on women’s needs and problems.
vi. To advocate and publicize newly passed proposed legislation that affects women.
vii. To promote continued equal opportunity in education, employment, sports and health
care for women.
viii. To operate at all times and in all matters as a non-political, non-partisan commission.
Meetings
2018 meetings were held the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Department of
Economic Development (10655 Stanhaven Place, Suite 206, White Plains, MD).
3
Membership Monthly Roster
January 2018
Felicia Dixon, Kimberly Graham, Helen Ozah-Mayer, Lucinia Mundy, Angela Owens, Lakia
Pendergrast, Jennifer Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer,
Sandra Swinson, Robbie Wilson
February 2018
Felicia Dixon, Kimberly Graham, Helen Ozah-Mayer, Lucinia Mundy, Angela Owens, Lakia
Pendergrast, Jennifer Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer,
Sandra Swinson, Robbie Wilson
March 2018
Felicia Dixon, Kimberly Graham, Helen Ozah-Mayer, Lucinia Mundy, Angela Owens, Jennifer
Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer, Sandra Swinson, Robbie
Wilson
April 2018
Kimberly Graham, Aretha Larsen, Eileen Lynch, Helen Ozah-Mayer, Lucinia Mundy, Angela
Owens, Jennifer Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer, Sandra
Swinson, Robbie Wilson
May 2018
Kimberly Graham, Aretha Larsen, Eileen Lynch, Helen Ozah-Mayer, Lucinia Mundy, Angela
Owens, Jennifer Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer, Sandra
Swinson, La’Kenya Walter, Robbie Wilson
June 2018
Kimberly Graham, Aretha Larsen, Eileen Lynch, Lucinia Mundy, Angela Owens, Jennifer
Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer, Sandra Swinson, La’Kenya
Walter, Robbie Wilson
July 2018
Kimberly Graham, Danielle Jones, Aretha Larsen, Eileen Lynch, Lucinia Mundy, Angela
Owens, Jennifer Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer, Sandra
Swinson, La’Kenya Walter, Robbie Wilson
4
August 2018
Kimberly Graham, Danielle Jones, Eileen Lynch, Lucinia Mundy, Angela Owens, Jennifer
Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer, Sandra Swinson, La’Kenya
Walter, Robbie Wilson
September 2018
Kimberly Graham, Danielle Jones, Eileen Lynch, Lucinia Mundy, Angela Owens, Jennifer
Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer, Sandra Swinson, La’Kenya
Walter, Robbie Wilson
October 2018
Jennifer Clancy, Kimberly Graham, Evelyn Gwynn, Danielle Jones, Eileen Lynch, Lucinia
Mundy, Angela Owens, Jennifer Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita
Spencer, Sandra Swinson, La’Kenya Walter, Robbie Wilson
November 2018
Jennifer Clancy, Evelyn Gwynn, Danielle Jones, Eileen Lynch, Lucinia Mundy, Angela Owens,
Jennifer Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer, Patricia Stine,
Sandra Swinson, La’Kenya Walter, Robbie Wilson
December 2018
Jennifer Clancy, Evelyn Gwynn, Danielle Jones, Eileen Lynch, Lucinia Mundy, Angela Owens,
Jennifer Owens McSwain, Russell Scott, Maxine Somerville, Sarita Spencer, Patricia Stine,
Sandra Swinson, La’Kenya Walter, Robbie Wilson
Please find the following Commission for Women sub-committee activities for the 2018 calendar year.
Charles County Commission for Women – Homelessness Sub-Committee
January 2018
Attended Human Trafficking Awareness Forum at the Hilton Garden Inn in Waldorf, hosted by
Charles County Sherriff’s Office.
5
March 2018
Volunteered with Prom Pizazz at The Body of Christ Church in Waldorf – We serviced a total of
Eighty- Eight Young Ladies for the upcoming 2018 Prom and 8th Grade Formal
HITS Expo at St Charles High School – we participated in judging the exhibits and a Scholarship
donation was provided by CCCW.
Charles County Commission for Women – WE Matters Sub-Committee
W.E. (Women’s Empowerment) is the communications and marketing arm of the CCCW
January - December 2018
❖ Enhanced our website and use of social media to act as a referral agency source for
women needing assistance
❖ Created content for advertisement and promotions of events for unified messaging under
CCCW umbrella
❖ Gathered media contacts
❖ Took photos of CCCW events used for advertisement, social media, print articles
❖ Maintained CCCW Facebook and Twitter accounts
❖ Held a Sip-n-Paint on March 17, 2018 at Lifestyles in LaPlata, MD, to raise money and
awareness for Rosemary’s Closet, and other safe havens/shelters for victims and families
of domestic violence. After the paint event was complete, Senator Chris Van Hollen
arrived for a scheduled tour of Lifestyles and spent a moment talking with the CCCW
members and taking photos
❖ Sponsored Maryland Commission for Women Voices of Maryland Listening Tour
Roundtable August 18 at Notre Dame of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
❖ Sub-Committee held another Sip n Paint on October 28, 2018 at the Greater Waldorf
Jaycees where proceeds benefited Rosemary’s Closet
6
❖ Attended convening of Commissions for Women from around the state of Maryland and
convening of Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women on November 17 at Notre Dame
of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.
Rosemary’s Closet Annual Figures:
❖ All persons: Total Households Assisted:740 households with a total of 1641 members;
Duplicated Households Assisted: 1560 households with a total of 3523 members.
❖ Domestic violence survivors: Total Households Assisted: 43 households with a total of
106 members; Duplicated Households Assisted: 133 households with a total of 288
members
November 2018
Attended MLAW Conference in Baltimore, MD to provide support for upcoming legislative
session on issues of relevance to women and families.
December 2018
Hosted community conversation on opioids in Charles County at Waldorf West Library.
Charles County Commission for Women – Youth Sub-Committee
February 2018
The CCCW participated in Charles County Public School’s Read Across America Day, reading
to the students at Arthur Middleton Elementary School. This yearly event is a motivation and
awareness program that invites volunteers in the community to celebrate literacy and reading on
Dr. Seuss birthday.
April 2018
The CCCW partnered with Beyond the Classroom and Tabernacle of Praise (T.O.P) on April 28,
2018, hosting a Financial Literacy workshop for Charles County children, youth and adults. The
workshop provided fun, interactive games and information on budgeting, investing, and saving
options for the respective age groups.
7
May 2018
Volunteered and manned Mission Tent at March for Babies event held at Blue Crabs Stadium
May 6.
June 2018
The CCCW supported Project Graduation at the College of Southern Maryland, LaPlata Campus
held June 2-4, 2018. Project Graduation is an annual event sponsored by the Charles County
Public School to provide county high school graduates a safe place for celebration.
August 2018
The CCCW participated as a vendor at the 2018 Charles County Early Childhood Day held
August 4, 2018 at Capital Club House in Waldorf, MD. The annual event is sponsored by
Charles County Advocacy Council for Children, Youth and Families. The free event provides
parents, caregivers, and early childhood professionals with resources to help children of Charles
County get a jump start on education. The CCCW provided activities, games, face painting and
free giveaway gifts to the attending children.
Attended Commissioner Amanda Stewart (District 3) annual Back-to-School Community Fiesta
held August 11, 2018 at Mattawoman Middle School. The event focused on saying no to
bullying, drugs and no texting while driving. The first 200 children at the event received a free
school backpack.
October/November 2018
In partnership with the Charles County Public School, the CCCW sponsored a poetry contest
with the county’s middle school students in honor of the 2018 National Red Ribbon Campaign,
October 23-31. Charles County middle school students created posters in support of the national
campaign theme – “Life is Your Journey, Travel Drug Free.” The CCCW provided participant
certificates to the 230 total entries, and the four (4) winners form each participating school
(Milton Somers, Piccowaxen, General Smallwood and Mattawoman) were awarded a $20 gift
card from Chick-fil-A Waldorf.
8
December 2018
The CCCW supported William B. Wade Elementary School 2018 Winter Wonderland Breakfast
held December 1, 2018. CCCW volunteered to serve food for the annual PTO Breakfast with
Santa event.
The CCCW supported Arthur Middleton Elementary School on December 15, 2018. CCCW
volunteered to serve food and work in gift shop for annual PTO Breakfast with Santa event.
Meetings:
Attended the quarterly Charles County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council (DAAC) meetings at
the Charles County Health Department.
Closing
The Commission for Women spent 2018 focused on Community Outreach in the areas of
Partnerships/Advocacy, Youth, and Homelessness. We sought opportunities to continue to raise
awareness and join conversations and events where there was a keen interest in providing
resources and opportunities to help women and families in the county.
All of our members are hardworking dedicated advocates for issues impacting women and
families in Charles County. Most members participate on other boards and have other volunteer
obligations in addition to the work they each do for the Commission for Women.
Respectfully submitted by:
Maxine Griffin Somerville
Chair, Charles County Commission for Women
9
Top Related